Florida Gators: Monster list of weekend visitors

The Florida Gators are set to host a huge recruiting weekend this weekend as a number of top prospects will invade Gainesville starting on Friday.

It may not be a huge number of prospects visiting this weekend but it’s definitely a who’s who as far as big names. This is exactly what the Gators need as they try to gain momentum before National Signing Day.

Here’s who GatorCountry.com expects to visit this weekend.

Two five stars invading Florida

Defensive end Byron Cowart has been the center of attention of Florida fans since last spring and he will finally make his official visit to Florida this weekend.

Cowart, who visited Auburn last weekend, is still trying to build a relationship with the Gators new coaching staff but this weekend could be just what the doctor ordered for Jim McElwain and his new coaching staff.

The Gators will host a second five star this weekend when offensive tackle Martez Ivey takes an unofficial visit to Florida. Ivey took an official to Florida during the season.

Ivey, who is down to Florida and Auburn, will visit Florida this weekend and then go home and mull over a decision until signing day. Ivey is the one prospect that Florida absolutely needs to land as the Gators are hurting for lineman.

Playmakers needed in Gainesville

Without question the Florida Gators need playmakers on the offensive side of the ball and this weekend Florida and McElwain will host two of the elite playmakers in the state as receiver Ryan Davis and running back Jordan Cronkrite are expected in town.

Davis, who just visited Auburn last weekend, has been talking to McElwain on a daily basis and the Gators would love to close the deal this weekend but it’s going to be a battle here.

Cronkite has been hoping to land an offer from the Florida Gators for quite some time now. McElwain and the current staff have been giving him the attention that he’s wanted from the Gators for some time now and Florida appears to be in great shape for him as he takes his official visit this weekend.

McElwain wants to be flipper

Will Muschamp was a flipper but McElwain is hoping to take over that role and this weekend he will host three prospects committed to other schools.

First up is FSU quarterback commit Deondre Francois who grew up a Florida Gators fan but wasn’t a fan of Muschamp. Francois is apart of a three quarterback class at FSU so the Gators are trying desperately to flip the talented quarterback.

Maybe the biggest offensive target on the board for Florida is Miami running back commit Jordan Scarlett who is just a man among boys in high school. Scarlett is a 210-pound back that is ideal for McElwain’s system. From day one McElwain has made Scarlett a priority and this weekend he will try to close the deal.

Last up is Auburn athlete D’Anfernee McGriff who player personnel director Drew Hughes has been working hard on will visit Florida. McGriff is solid to Auburn and the Gators have a lot of work to do here but McGriff is an ideal fit for Florida and is the kind of athlete the Gators need more of.

Shannon wants his first commit

New linebackers coach Randy Shannon has single handily got the Gators in the door with linebacker Rayshad Jackson and this weekend Jackson will visit Florida. Jackson will announce on Sunday and right he’s 50/50 between Florida and Arkansas. The Gators look good here.

Two commits coming to town

Florida offensive line commit Tyler Jordan and tight end commit Camrin Knight will both make trips to Florida this weekend. Jordan will return on unofficial visit this weekend as he will try and help the Gators recruit these top athletes.

Stay tuned to GatorCountry.com for all of the latest news on this weekend’s visitors.

About Andrew Spivey

Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.

Andrew…good stuff. Great list indeed. How cool would it be if these guys came over to the good guys. The coaches chemistry has to play a big part. Other recruits have noticed that, saying they thought it looked like they’ve been coaching together for years. Here’s to this weekend being the one that changes the recruiting game. Go Gators, Go coaches -Go recruits…go sign on the dotted line with the Gators.

According to another media source Cowart arrived (in Gainesville) late and left this ‘huge recruiting weekend’ early. Denial among the faithful can be mighty painful to witness. To those who want to believe this does not mean anything, please remember the purpose of his visit was not simply to see the campus which he has already done numerous times but to hopefully bond with the new coaching staff. Maybe it was simply a world record ‘bonding session’. Gator faithful must support McElwain and his staff 100%. They are all trying to make the best out of a bad situation which is not their creation. As for Cowart I predict he goes to Auburn or FSU.

The Florida Gators are set to host a huge recruiting weekend this weekend as a number of top prospects will invade Gainesville starting on Friday.

It may not be a huge number of prospects visiting this weekend but it’s definitely a who’s who as far as big names. This is exactly what the Gators need as they try to gain momentum before National Signing Day.

Here’s who GatorCountry.com expects to visit this weekend.

Two five stars invading Florida

Defensive end Byron Cowart has been the center of attention of Florida fans since last spring and he will finally make his official visit to Florida this weekend.

Cowart, who visited Auburn last weekend, is still trying to build a relationship with the Gators new coaching staff but this weekend could be just what the doctor ordered for Jim McElwain and his new coaching staff.

The Gators will host a second five star this weekend when offensive tackle Martez Ivey takes an unofficial visit to Florida. Ivey took an official to Florida during the season.

Ivey, who is down to Florida and Auburn, will visit Florida this weekend and then go home and mull over a decision until signing day. Ivey is the one prospect that Florida absolutely needs to land as the Gators are hurting for lineman.

Playmakers needed in Gainesville

Without question the Florida Gators need playmakers on the offensive side of the ball and this weekend Florida and McElwain will host two of the elite playmakers in the state as receiver Ryan Davis and running back Jordan Cronkrite are expected in town.

Davis, who just visited Auburn last weekend, has been talking to McElwain on a daily basis and the Gators would love to close the deal this weekend but it’s going to be a battle here.

Cronkite has been hoping to land an offer from the Florida Gators for quite some time now. McElwain and the current staff have been giving him the attention that he’s wanted from the Gators for some time now and Florida appears to be in great shape for him as he takes his official visit this weekend.

McElwain wants to be flipper

Will Muschamp was a flipper but McElwain is hoping to take over that role and this weekend he will host three prospects committed to other schools.

First up is FSU quarterback commit Deondre Francois who grew up a Florida Gators fan but wasn’t a fan of Muschamp. Francois is apart of a three quarterback class at FSU so the Gators are trying desperately to flip the talented quarterback.

Maybe the biggest offensive target on the board for Florida is Miami running back commit Jordan Scarlett who is just a man among boys in high school. Scarlett is a 210-pound back that is ideal for McElwain’s system. From day one McElwain has made Scarlett a priority and this weekend he will try to close the deal.

Last up is Auburn athlete D’Anfernee McGriff who player personnel director Drew Hughes has been working hard on will visit Florida. McGriff is solid to Auburn and the Gators have a lot of work to do here but McGriff is an ideal fit for Florida and is the kind of athlete the Gators need more of.

Shannon wants his first commit

New linebackers coach Randy Shannon has single handily got the Gators in the door with linebacker Rayshad Jackson and this weekend Jackson will visit Florida. Jackson will announce on Sunday and right he’s 50/50 between Florida and Arkansas. The Gators look good here.

Two commits coming to town

Florida offensive line commit Tyler Jordan and tight end commit Camrin Knight will both make trips to Florida this weekend. Jordan will return on unofficial visit this weekend as he will try and help the Gators recruit these top athletes.

Stay tuned to GatorCountry.com for all of the latest news on this weekend’s visitors.

Andrew Spiveyandrewspiveyandrew.spivey1987@yahoo.comAuthorAndrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.GatorCountry.com